New York’s Governor and Lieutenant Are Split Over Biden

Democrats up and down the ballot in the state are divided, too.

New York lieutenant governor Antonio Delgado issued a statement Wednesday saying that President Joe Biden should step down from the Democratic ticket, a significant break from Governor Kathy Hochul, who has been one of the president’s strongest backers.

After praising Biden for his accomplishments in office and beating Donald Trump in 2020, Delgado said the president should drop his reelection bid, citing the risk of Trump winning in November. “I have immense respect and admiration for his deep and abiding commitment to the American people and our founding democratic ideals,” Delgado said. “He can add to his legacy, showing his strength and grace, by ending his campaign and making room for a new leader.” Politico reports that Delgado gave Hochul a heads-up before releasing his statement and that, though she disagreed with his opinion, she did not intervene.

On Thursday, seemingly in response to Delgado’s statement, Hochul took to social media to reiterate her support for the president. “Joe Biden is a fighter who has been counted out time and again, only to come back and beat the odds. Proud to stand with him through November and beyond,” she wrote on X.

Hochul was one of the first major Democrats to come out to back Biden after his disastrous debate performance. Days later, the White House hosted a meeting between the president and Democratic governors with the intent of reassuring them about the path moving forward. After the meeting, Hochul spoke to the assembled media, saying that the state leaders “feel very confident in his abilities.”

Delgado isn’t the only New York Democrat to voice a need for a new presidential candidate in recent days. In an op-ed published in the Poughkeepsie Journal Wednesday, Congressman Pat Ryan, who is running for reelection in a swing district, echoed Delgado in saying that Biden is a patriot and man of “great integrity,” but that he no longer believes that the president will be able to defeat Trump in the fall. “For the good of our country, for the future of our kids and grandkids, I am asking Joe Biden to step aside in the upcoming election and deliver on his promise to be a ‘bridge’ to a new generation of leaders,” he wrote.

The mixed feelings about Biden’s candidacy can be keenly felt in the state’s congressional delegation. While Representative Jerry Nadler has said privately that Biden should step down, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has continued to back the president publicly. Nadler appeared to walk back his own comments, reiterating his support for Biden earlier this week.

While Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez strongly backed Biden following the debate, Representative Ritchie Torres has continued to raise concerns about his candidacy. “If the President formally becomes the Democratic Nominee, we will have no choice but to make the best of a complicated situation. But there is no point in denying the complications,” he said Thursday.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has repeatedly stated “I’m with Joe” when asked for his take on the calls to replace Biden, but Axios reported Wednesday that the senator has expressed an openness to a change in ticket in conversations with donors. Schumer later said in a statement to the outlet that he’s made clear publicly and privately that he supports Biden.